Chapter 392 Cao Cao makes a decision
Yang Xiu was immediately furious. He didn't expect his father to be so stupid.
"Father, the emperor is so unlucky!"
"Bold!"
Yang Biao's expression suddenly changed and he shouted loudly, but then he saw his son's aggrieved face and couldn't help but feel soft in his heart: "You are not allowed to talk nonsense in the future. What should I do if others listen?"
Yang Xiu smiled bitterly and said: "If you can't pass this test, does your father think there will be a future?"
Yang Biao was choked and speechless.
Yang Xiu continued: "Since the Han Dynasty, the emperor has always been talented and strategic, shrewd and capable, strong in martial arts, and ignorant and incompetent. He favors eunuchs, but does he have affectionate elders?"
The emperors of the Han Dynasty were the dynasties with the highest quality among all dynasties.
Even though the Eastern Han Dynasty was full of little emperors, it was these little emperors who were able to devise ways to seize power from their relatives, eunuchs, and nobles.
As for the Western Han Dynasty, there were many wise kings.
But the emperors since the Han Dynasty, even if they were as tolerant and loving as Liu Xiu, they still had Guo Shengtong's fault.
When the Lao Liu family uses people, they can provide sufficient benefits. When they are no longer available, you'd better not commit any crime. Once you commit a crime, the end result is often the death of relatives.
Not to mention ministers, not even relatives can escape.
The most typical case is Huo Guang. He was canonized, but his family was wiped out.
Work is work, mistakes are mistakes.
What's more, the emperor Liu Xie was a precocious young man, and he grew up under the oppression of warriors. He had an impulsive and fragile personality. Expecting such an emperor to fight for the Yang family against the Cao-Liu alliance, Yang Xiuzhen felt that his father was lost.
After listening to his son's words, Yang Biao finally stopped talking.
He also realized that he had just spoken nonsense.
Whenever he goes to the palace to find the emperor, Cao Liu will definitely join forces to deal with him, and the emperor will really be unable to protect him.
********
At midnight, a horse hurriedly entered the general's mansion.
At this time, the main hall was still brightly lit. Not only did General Cao Cao not rest, but even his cronies from the shogunate gathered here.
Sitting on the left side is Xiahou Dun, on the right side is Xun Yu, and on both sides are Cao Ang, Cao Hong, Man Chong, Xi Zhong and others.
At the end of the hall, there were actually two children sitting, one twelve years old and one eight years old. They were Cao Pi and Cao Zhi.
After Laiqi went to the hall, he knelt down and reported: "Reporting to the general, at one quarter of the clock, Yang Xiuluo left the mansion at night and had already entered the residence of the general Hussar."
"Reward!"
Cao Cao's word made Chuanqi overjoyed. He quickly kowtowed and quietly retreated.
"The fourth Taiwei of the Yang family turned out to be such a fool as Yang Biao."
Cao Cao was angry. If Yang Biao hadn't been too stupid, he could have planned for greater benefits, but he didn't know what Liu Feng wrote in the letter to Yang Xiu, which actually frightened the Yang family into such a state.
After Cao Cao vented his anger, he regained his composure, looked at everyone in the hall and said, "What do you think you can teach me now?"
Although Cao Cao was asking the princes in the hall, he was actually counting on the counselors on his right.
The confidants and generals on the left are brave and loyal, but they are still far inferior in political strategy.
Xi Zhong stroked his short beard and was the first to speak: "My lord, we can't wait any longer. As a token of loyalty, my lord will go to the palace early tomorrow morning to meet the saint and cite his merits for Liu Zhengnan. In this way, although he will not be able to reap all the benefits , but can achieve great success.”
Cao Cao smiled and nodded repeatedly, but there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. But if that's the case, he can figure it out, so there's no need for others to say more.
Xi Zhong also saw Cao Cao's disappointment, but he really couldn't guess the content of Liu Feng's letter.
If he could know the contents of Liu Feng's letter, then he could make further changes, but who would keep Cao Cao from finding out?
I am afraid that only Liu Feng and Yang Xiu know about the letter at present. Perhaps Yang Biao also knows about it at this time. No one else, even Zhuge Jin who sent the letter, has not read it.
No one of these three people could leak the contents of the letter, and Yang Xiu also kept the letters close to his body and never passed them on to others. It is no wonder that Cao Cao tried his best to find out the contents.
Cao Cao looked at Xun Yu, who had been silent for a long time, and asked proactively: "What is Wen Ruo's advice?"
Xi Zhong's heart sank. He was not jealous of Xun Yu, but worried about Xun Yu.
Xi Zhong and Xun Yu were young friends, and Xi Zhong was an old family in Yingchuan. However, Xi Zhong was from a different branch and his family was poor, but Xun Yu was friends with him regardless of his status, and their friendship was extremely sincere.
Later, Cao Cao wanted to find an opportunity to change his advisers, and it was Xun Yu who recommended Xi Zhong so much that he won this opportunity for him. Otherwise, no matter how talented Xi Zhong was, he would not be able to get to Cao Cao.
Therefore, Xi Zhong was not only grateful to Xun Yu, but also loyal to him. The two of them came from Yingchuan together and were close friends of the township party.
The reason why Xi Zhongqian spoke before Xun Yu was not to take credit, but actually to take the blame.
It's just that Xi Zhong didn't expect that Cao Cao would not give up and even asked Xun Yu by name, which made him feel worried for his friend.
Although Cao Cao would not blame Xun Yu even if he didn't have any good ideas, the value of Xun Yu's chief plotter would inevitably decline.
Just when Xi Zhong was worried, Xun Yu spoke leisurely: "Ming Gong, is there any news about Liu Feng's letter?"
Cao Cao's face darkened, and then he shook his head: "Never."
Xun Yu continued: "Xun Yu is not talented, but there are some speculations, but they may not be true."
Cao Cao was stunned at first. He didn't expect Xun Yu to have such an answer. When he came to his senses, he immediately said with great joy: "Wen Ruo can boldly say this. We are just discussing, so we can't say anything."
After receiving Cao Cao's permission, Xun Yu immediately said: "Ming Gong, I thought that letter was a threat. I'm afraid that Liu Zhengnan has something wrong with the Taiwei in his hands. Judging from the reaction of the Taiwei's mansion, this mistake is by no means a small one." Wrong, it’s a big mistake.”
After hearing Xun Yu's words, not only Cao Cao, but also Xi Zhong, Man Chong, Cao Ang and others in the hall fell into deep thought. Even Xiahou Dun was no exception. Only Cao Hong had curious eyes and looked around, then at the opposite side. , with a clear face.
"What Wen Ruo said is very reasonable!"
A look of surprise flashed across Cao Cao's face. As the saying goes, it's better to do good than to do good. How much benefit would it give Yang Biao and his son to pay so much attention to change their attitude?
On the contrary, the handle is more direct and effective, and the results are faster.
But what exactly is this handle?
The joy on Cao Cao's face gradually faded, and he couldn't help but think about it. While thinking about it, he asked: "Wen Ruo, do you have any guesses about this?"
Originally, Cao Cao asked casually, not expecting an answer, but Xi Zhong suddenly interrupted and inspired him.
"Yu actually gained nothing, it was just Yu's guess that could not influence human interests."
Cao Cao jumped up suddenly, slapped his thigh and said: "What a talented actor, what a man of favors and benefits, I already know what is said in this letter!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the hall focused their attention on Cao Cao.
The latter didn't notice it at all, and walked around in circles excitedly: "Yang Wenxian's wife is the cousin of Ben Chu and Gu Gu. Now that his son has been promoted to prison, what's the difficulty if we want to find a few letters?" Yuan Shu did not fall out with the emperor and the court from the beginning.
In the earliest days, he even sent tribute to the emperor of Chang'an, and was praised by the emperor and the court.
It was precisely because of this that Li Jue and Guo Si felt that Yuan Shu was easy to win over, so they sent Tai Fu Ma Rixi out of Wuguan with a scepter and went to Nanyang to persuade Yuan Shu to go north to King Qin.
As Yuan Shu's brother-in-law, Yang Biao wrote to Yuan Shu frequently.
There must be some omissions in these letters, which gave Liu Feng a clue.
It has to be said that Cao Cao, Xun Yu, Xi Zhong, and Man Chong were all smart and intelligent people, with a hundred talents.
After this conversation, they actually guessed 70% to 80% of the facts. Even if they were wrong, they were actually stitched together by mistake.
The more Cao Cao thought about it, the more it made sense. He never dreamed that Liu Feng would be so bold and cruel, and he would directly frame the Yang family.
"If that's the case..."
Cao Cao's thoughts began to stir: "Wen Ruo, Zhicai, Boning, do you think there is a chance to get Yangzhou Mu? The governor of Yangzhou can also do it."
"Absolutely not!"
Xun Yu, Xi Zhong, and Man Chong were shocked, and at the same time persuaded: "This is definitely not feasible?"
Cao Cao's face darkened and he thought carefully.
Xiahou Dun asked with a solemn face: "Three gentlemen, Yangzhou is a land of plenty, with dangerous rivers and the benefits of salt and iron. Can't we really fight for it?"
If it had been anyone else, Xun Yu and others might have dismissed them with just a few words, but Xiahou Dun was different.
Everyone thought that Xun Yu was the number two figure in the Cao Group, but in fact Xiahou Dun was the real number two in the Cao Group.
Because the military power was in the hands of Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Dun's real talent was politics, but he also had certain military capabilities. Therefore, Xiahou Dun always played the role of replacing Cao Cao in the base camp.
Previously, Cao Cao wanted to recruit Sili Xiaowei, but it was also for Xiahou Dun, not Xun Yu. Later, through Liu Feng's intermediary, he obtained the official position of Henan Yin. The first thing that came to mind was still Xiahou Dun.
Xun Yu knew this very well, so he and Xiahou Dun always maintained a good relationship.
"Yuan Rang didn't know that Yangzhou was now determined by Liu Zisheng, and Liu Zisheng was invincible in Jiangdong. It was even said that he used the war to win people's hearts and balance the place. In the two counties north of the Yangtze River, there was a great development of water conservancy, land clearing, and relief. Victims of the disaster. Nowadays, it is rumored that the five counties of Jianghuai Province have benefited from Liu Bei and his son's survival, and even built private temples. "
Xun Yu explained it seriously to Xiahou Dun, and at the same time he also explained it to his superior, Cao Cao.
"What is the use of the false titles of Yangzhou Shepherd and Yangzhou Governor at this time?"
The dramatist followed up and continued: "The governors of various places in Yangzhou are all members of Liu Bei and his son. Even the shepherd of Yangzhou can't do anything. Let's see where Liu Zhengli is now."
Man Chong even bluntly said: "I'm afraid people like Liu Zhengli are wise enough. If I go there, I'm afraid my bones will have to be buried in Jiangdong in less than a year and a half."
Xiahou Dun was shocked, nodded, and said no more.
Cao Cao also listened to these suggestions and felt that what his confidants said was true, so he asked from a different angle: "In this case, why not take this opportunity to remove Yang Biao?" < br>
Even though Yang Biao was a Taiwei, the position with the highest authority in Yang Biao was not that of a Taiwei, but that of the Minister of Records.
The system of the Eastern Han Dynasty was completely different from that of the Western Han Dynasty. The authority of the Three Officials themselves had been replaced by the Shangshutai. Therefore, the simple position of the Three Officials was actually more glory than actual power.
But if Sangong also records the affairs of the minister, it will be terrible.
This means that one can directly participate in the affairs of the Shangshutai, and even be able to overpower the Shangshu Ling.
Of course, in the original time and space, Xun Yu was appointed as Shangshu Ling, Cao Cao was appointed as Shangshu Ling with the title of Zhendong General, and later he was appointed as Sikong Lu Shangshu Ling.
Yang Biao only gave Cao Cao a little face, and was dismissed by Cao Cao.
According to the official system of the Eastern Han Dynasty, among the three princes, Taiwei was greater than Situ and Sikong, and Lu Shangshu was greater than Taiwei.
According to this rule, Yang Biao, who was in charge of the affairs of the Taiwei, was higher than Cao Cao, who was in charge of the affairs of the Sikong, but the result was that he was vulnerable. It can be seen that in the Xudu period, a new attribute had to be added, that is, military power was greater than anything else.
At present, the emperor still has more than a thousand elite soldiers and retinues in his hands. There are Yang Feng, Han Xian, and Zhang Yang nearby, and Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, and Liu Bei's father and son are far away to act as checks and balances.
Cao Cao had been unhappy with Yang Biao for a long time, but he still didn't dare to take action. He was just afraid of all the princes, and the most afraid of them was Liu Bei and his son.
Now that Liu Feng and Yang Biao are at loggerheads, wouldn't it be a good time to remove Yang Biao?
Hearing Cao Cao's question, Xun Yu and the others had different reactions.
Xun Yu lowered his eyebrows and remained silent.
Xi Zhong frowned and wanted to speak but stopped.
Man Chong's expression perked up, he was eager to try.
Cao Cao took in all the performance of the three people, but pretended not to know, turned around and sat back.
"Old thief Yang Biao has always been at odds with me. Every time I make reforms, he will always slander and obstruct me. I am not doing it for myself, I am really worried about national affairs."
Cao Cao said to himself: "Now the old thief and Liu Zisheng also have a grudge, and we can use Zisheng's power to get rid of it!"
Xun Yu remained silent. Xi Zhong glanced at Man Chong and found that the Yanzhou man was already gearing up. He did not dare to hesitate and said quickly: "My lord, Zhong has a word."
Cao Cao glanced at Xi Zhong and nodded: "Zhi Cai can't say anything directly."
Man Chong was interrupted by Xi Zhong and stopped temporarily.
Xi Zhong said seriously: "My lord's plan is not unfeasible, but in the opinion of loyalty, we should go with the flow. If we are too hasty, we may suffer from it."
Cao Cao thought carefully for a moment and looked at Xi Zhong approvingly: "What Zhicai said is very true, and it is very consistent with what I want!"
Afterwards, Cao Cao immediately made a decision: "In that case, early tomorrow morning, I will go to the palace to see the emperor and take credit for his promotion!"
After the meeting, Cao Ang took his younger brothers Cao Pi and Cao Zhi back to the backyard to rest.
Cao Pi and Cao Zhi were born to the same mother, the future Queen Wei Bian, but Cao Ang's mother died young and was raised by Cao Cao's wife Ding.
It is interesting to say that, including Cao Chong, who was born last year, they were all born when Ding was the head wife, and the success rate is extremely high.
Not only was Cao Ang worthy of being an heir, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Chong were all talented and intelligent.
But after Cao Cao killed the three sages with one shot and were divorced by Ding, Cao Cao gave birth to many more children, but none of them became successful.
After thinking about it this way, this Ding family is really quite prosperous for Cao Cao.
(End of chapter)